Cycle to work decisions descisions

El Diego
El Diego Posts: 440
edited September 2009 in Commuting chat
Hi,

I have been comuting to work (11 mile round trip) for over a year on a Ridgeback Velocity 09, which has adequately served my needs.

I recently completed a 100k ride from Manchester - Blackpool and was admiring some of the road bikes as they flew past, which aroused the idea of getting one.

My interest was further stimulated following an enjoyable trial run of my friend's Ribble, which felt precise and fast when compared to my Ridgeback Hybrid.

My employer has introduced the Cycle to Work initiative, which has convinced me to take the road bike plunge. I have done some research and can't find a better equipped bike for the same price as a Ribble Audax/Winter 105 Black 2010. It costs £750 but I would pay £450.

I have never owned a road bike before and would greatly appreciate the benefit of your collective experience/wisdom on my proposed choice. If anyone has any suggestions on similarly priced alternatives, my main criteria is: robust enough to handle the pothole laden urban jungle throughout what can be a rain sodden Manchester winter, clearance to mount mud guards, suitable for longer bike rides and fast so I can enagage in some commuter racing!


Opinions greatly appreciated.

Comments

  • biondino
    biondino Posts: 5,990
    I suspect it's exactly what you need. And good on you for not being snobbish about the word "Ribble" :)
    My Focus / My Bob Jackson
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  • El Diego
    El Diego Posts: 440
    It reminds me of my favourite comedy of all time Blackadder Goes Forth! The scene where he is feigning insantity in an attempt to gain compasionate leave from going over the top.
  • Citizen Smith
    Citizen Smith Posts: 336
    A Wibble.
    "Come at the king, you best not miss." - Omar, The Wire

    FCN 4: Willier Izoard XP
    FCN 7: GT Legato 4.0

    *GAME* competitor
  • macstaffs
    macstaffs Posts: 14
    A couple of guys at the club bought exactly the same and were well pleased with it for the price its a bargain, my advice for the winter get a grippy Panaracer for the back and a slightly slicker front tyre, enjoy!
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    They're a bargain - I did consider the Veloce version myself at £640 (so only £320 after CTW relief) but rebuilt an old Raleigh I had all the parts for instead.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • El Diego
    El Diego Posts: 440
    Alternatives?
  • Jay dubbleU
    Jay dubbleU Posts: 3,159
    For those of you who have never been north of Watford the name Ribble comes from a river in the NW of England - the Blackadder quote I believe was "Bibble"

    Good inexpensive steel framed bikes - go for it
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Is there any difference between the Audax/winter frame and the road frame? What I thought was a bit odd was the audax/winter spec saying it would accept tyres up to 23mm only. Can that be right? The road frame spec, however, doesn't mention that limitation.

    El Diego - am looking at buying the "road" version atm. Another option might be the Planet X Team - costs around £175 for the frame. The P-X Uncle John might be another option, but that's more of a cyclo-cross bike, whereas the Team is more suited to road racing. Don't know if PX do the C2W scheme though.
    FCN 2-4.

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    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    Diego, I shall use the Surosa one day this week, Its a great bike, better spec than the Ribble but you will understand that the Ribble is so much better for our commute once you have been on the Surosa, BTW you need I mean NEED SPD's too mate :)
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    cjcp wrote:
    Is there any difference between the Audax/winter frame and the road frame? What I thought was a bit odd was the audax/winter spec saying it would accept tyres up to 23mm only. Can that be right? The road frame spec, however, doesn't mention that limitation.

    El Diego - am looking at buying the "road" version atm. Another option might be the Planet X Team - costs around £175 for the frame. The P-X Uncle John might be another option, but that's more of a cyclo-cross bike, whereas the Team is more suited to road racing. Don't know if PX do the C2W scheme though.

    CJ the max is 23mm tyres WITH mudguards on, with them off
    I assume the max is 28/32mm
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • cjcp
    cjcp Posts: 13,345
    Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh, I seeeeeee. :oops: Ta, Gaz.
    FCN 2-4.

    "What happens when the hammer goes down, kids?"
    "It stays down, Daddy."
    "Exactly."
  • fnegroni
    fnegroni Posts: 794
    The kiron mtl blade is not a bad option either, from Wiggle. Will be a better frame too.
    http://wokinghamcyclist.blogspot.com
  • redddraggon
    redddraggon Posts: 10,862
    Meh, get a nicer bike than the Ribble.
    I like bikes...

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  • DiggingDeeper
    DiggingDeeper Posts: 225
    Have Ribbled to work for a year now - I got mine virtually brand new off a mate for £300 so it was a steal. It's a great bike for commuting, though 750 seems a bit steep possibly.

    I have a 2nd bike for weekend stuff so I don't worry about the Ribble being able to do anything but commute.

    23 only with mudguards on, learnt the hard way with that one......
    [1]Ribble winter special
    [2] Trek 5200 old style carbon
    [3] Frankensteins hybrid FCN 8
  • El Diego
    El Diego Posts: 440
    Redddraggon I wish I could but i'm assuming by nicer you also mean more expensive, which is a no no on my meagre salary.
  • gb155
    gb155 Posts: 2,048
    DiggingDeeper wrote:
    Have Ribbled to work for a year now - I got mine virtually brand new off a mate for £300 so it was a steal. It's a great bike for commuting, though 750 seems a bit steep possibly.

    I have a 2nd bike for weekend stuff so I don't worry about the Ribble being able to do anything but commute.

    23 only with mudguards on, learnt the hard way with that one......

    You and me BOTH :D :shock:
    On a Mission to lose 20 stone..Get My Life Back

    December 2007 - 39 Stone 05 Lbs

    July 2011 - 13 Stone 12 Lbs - Cycled 17851 Miles

    http://39stonecyclist.com
    Now the hard work starts.
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    Jay dubbleU wrote:

    Good inexpensive steel framed bikes - go for it

    Used to be Steel - I used to own a 531c one. They're now Alu.
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • Slow Downcp
    Slow Downcp Posts: 3,041
    fnegroni wrote:
    The kiron mtl blade is not a bad option either, from Wiggle. Will be a better frame too.

    I don't think you can fit mudguards to it though?
    Carlsberg don't make cycle clothing, but if they did it would probably still not be as good as Assos
  • El Diego
    El Diego Posts: 440
    23 only with mudguards on, learnt the hard way with that one......

    How about with those Crud Road Racer mud guards, they look wafer thin.
  • jthef
    jthef Posts: 226
    I have had the ribble for just 2 years with the 105 and it has been good.
    The frame is solid and componets have been good.
    Ive had good service (but the shop has now closed )
    Was looking foward to another Ribble on the bike to work scheme but some MORRON signed up to Halfords at our company

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